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South Dakota

Recent News

Dr. David Eads, Colorado State University cooperator, and Dr.John Hoogland from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, recently used long-term data to evaluate correlations between precipitation and parasitism of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) by fleas.

This recent study looked at the implications of badgers and ferrets taking over black-tailed prairie dog burrows. In a colony of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) in South Dakota, badgers concentrated their activities where burrow openings and prairie dogs were abundant, a selective behavior that was exhibited by ferrets in the same colony.

The FORT field study of plague ecology at Badlands National Park in South Dakota was visited by Elizabeth Shogren of National Public Radio. Dean Biggins discussed with her the history of black-footed ferret research and recovery, the effect of the plague on ferret and prairie dog conservation, and the potentially ominous impacts of the plague on other ecosystems in the western United States.